7 Days Buddhist Circuit

Delhi – Lucknow – Sravasti

In the morning, catch a flight from Delhi to Lucknow. Upon arrival at the Lucknow airport, commence your Buddhist Trail Tour by leaving for Sravasti. Famous for being the location where Buddha delivered many of his important sermons, Sravasti is one of the most critical Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the country. It was here that Lord Buddha bewildered audiences with a million-fold expression of himself, seated on a thousand-petaled lotus, as fire and water sprung from his body. On arrival, check in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

Sravasti – Lumbini (Nepal)

In the morning, visit Saheth in Sravasti, home to numerous Buddhist stupas and monasteries. The main attractions are the Gandhakuti and Kosambakuti chambers used by the Buddha. The Gandhakuti (fragrant chamber) is highly sacred, and devotees offer large amounts of flowers here.

Next, drive to Kapilvastu, the capital of the Shakya kingdom where Lord Buddha spent his childhood and youth. The village is sprinkled with stupas built by Ashoka and Gupta kings, unfolding the story of the birth of Buddhism. Finally, proceed to Lumbini (Nepal), globally revered as the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

Lumbini – Kushinagar

In the morning, visit the Maya Devi Temple, the exact spot where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha in 563 BC. The temple houses 3rd-century BC ruins, the ancient Ashoka pillar, and the sacred pond where Maya Devi bathed before giving birth. You will find traditional monks meditating under the adorned Bodhi tree.

Later, leave for Kushinagar, the sacred site where Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon and attained Mahaparinirvana. In the afternoon, visit the Nirvana Temple to witness the 5th-century monolithic red sandstone reclining Nirvana statue of Lord Buddha. Also visit the Ramabhar Stupa (Mukutbandhan-Chaitya), the cremation site of Lord Buddha. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kushinagar.

Kushinagar – Varanasi

In the morning, leave for Varanasi, the oldest living city in the world. Known as Kashi, it is the most important place of pilgrimage for Hindus. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Later in the afternoon, witness the enchanting Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Performed daily by a group of priests, this unique and unforgettable ceremony will fill you with spiritual thoughts and immense positivity. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Varanasi – Sarnath – Bodhgaya

Early in the morning, experience a soul-stirring boat tour on the holy Ganges. Sailing on the sacred waters, you will witness thousands of pilgrims worshipping and bathing. Later, leave for Sarnath, one of the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations.

Visit the massive Dhamekh Stupa (43.6 meters in height), built by Ashoka to mark the exact spot where Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dharma Chakra Pravartana) to his five former companions, founding the first Buddhist Sangha. After exploring the ruins, depart for Bodhgaya. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel for your overnight stay.

Bodhgaya Sightseeing

The full day is dedicated to visiting Bodhgaya. Explore the Mahabodhi Temple, originally built by Ashoka 250 years after Buddha's enlightenment and heavily restored in the 19th century. The main attraction is the sacred Bodhi Tree under which Buddha spent one week after attaining enlightenment.

The present tree is a descendant of the original, as a shoot was taken to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century B.C. by Ashoka's daughter. Besides the ancient remains, explore the beautiful monasteries built by other Buddhist nations like Thailand, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Bhutan. Overnight stay in Bodhgaya.